Flying in to Florida: the candidates' men

George W Bush's choice to represent his interests in the supervision of the Florida recount is a longtime, though not always wholly trusted, counsellor of the Bush family.

Another Texan, Mr Baker was treasury secretary in Ronald Reagan's second administration before becoming secretary of state for most of the presidency of George Bush Sr between 1989 and 92, a period which included the collapse of communism in Europe and the Gulf war.

He was compelled against his will to become President Bush's campaign organiser for his re-election effort against Bill Clinton in 1992. He was widely blamed for a lacklustre performance.

His re-emergence in a heavyweight role at such a delicate time suggests that Mr Baker may play a part in a new Bush administration.

Warren Christopher

Al Gore has entrusted his 11th hour battle for the presidency to one of his most trusted advisers, who always seems to pop up when key decisions need to be taken.

The 75-year-old veteran lawyer and political insider headed a Lyndon Johnson era inquiry into the Watts riots in Los Angeles in 1965 before serving as deputy secretary of state in charge of human rights policy under Jimmy Carter.

Mr Christopher was the surprise choice to be Bill Clinton's secretary of state in his first presidential term. He did the job for four years, a period dominated by the beginnings of the Middle East peace process and by crisis in the Balkans. He played a key role earlier this year when Mr Gore asked him to select a shortlist of potential vice-presidential nominees.

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